§ 55. Mr. HOLTasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the smuggling of opium from England into China is being carried on on a very large scale; and whether he will take such powers to control the opium trade in this country as will make it impossible that this country should be used as a base for such smuggling operations?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe exportation of opium otherwise than under licence is prohibited to all destinations by Royal Proclamation, and the Commissioners of Customs and Excise are making every effort to prevent breaches of the Proclamation. I should welcome increased powers to deal with this evil, but steps which were in progress to bring into force the International Convention for the suppression of the abuse of opium and similar drugs have necessarily been suspended by the outbreak of war.